3 Amazing Benefits of Group Exercise

It goes without saying that being involved in a community and surrounded by a good group of friends can have a huge positive impact on your mood and outlook on life. We believe this is not only true in work, but also in play, which is why DrumFIT is focused on inclusive group workouts. Although it may be uncomfortable for some of us to step into a class full of people to get our sweat on, there are many advantages to exercising in a group, whether you are best friends or just newly acquainted.

Here are three researched-backed benefits of exercising with others:

1. Mental health benefits

We’ve seen many articles about the mood-boosting effects of regular physical activity and, it turns out, moving with multiple people may increase endorphin release “outside of just physical exertion”! Moving with others is a great way to increase happiness, and we’ve seen it time and time again with DrumFIT classes.

“Group workouts can have a couple of mental advantages over solo workouts. While it’s true that working out releases endorphins (think of all of that talk of a runner’s highs), a group setting can lead to the release of endorphins outside of just physical exertion,” says John Ford [Certified exercise physiologist, who runs JKF Fitness & Health in New York City]. “One way is through smiling. Smiling has been shown to increase endorphin levels in studies. So when you’re in a great class or with a great bunch of people working out, that kind of conviviality can really make you feel great outside of just your runner’s high. An added benefit of this mood boost is that when you’re pushing yourself hard and struggling through more difficult parts of your workout you’ll feel better and more energized to complete the exercises.”

(Excerpt from ‘The health benefits of working out with a crowd’ by Brianna Steinhilber – NBCnews.com September 15, 2017)

“A study, published in the journal Lancet Psychiatry this month, is among the first of its kind, and the largest, analyzing the effect of different types of exercise. It found that physical activity typically performed in groups, such as team sports and gym classes, provided greater benefits than running or walking.

People who played team sports like soccer and basketball reported 22.3% fewer poor mental-health days than those who didn’t exercise. Those who ran or jogged fared 19% better, while those who did household chores 11.8% better.”

There’s nothing more motivating than the encouragement of others. When you’re surrounded by a group of people with a collective goal, you’re more likely to push yourself beyond limits you would set for yourself on your own.

“In a 2013 study in the International Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology, researchers recruited people to work out for 45 minutes on rowing machines.

After the session, people who had rowed in groups — and synchronized their movements — had a higher pain tolerance compared to solo rowers. Pain tolerance increased whether people were rowing with teammates or with strangers.

Researchers think the increased tolerance to pain may stem from a greater release of endorphins — the “feel good” hormones — due to people getting in sync with one another while exercising.

This kind of coordinated movement is known as behavioral synchrony. It can also occur during other group activities, such as play, religious rituals, and dance.

It may also boost your performance, especially if you’re already close to other people in the group.”

(Excerpt from ‘People Who Exercise in Groups Get More Health Benefits’ by Shawn Radcliffe – Healthline.com November 17, 2017)

3. Commitment Level and Accountability

Reaching a goal on your own is difficult, but when you have people to hold you accountable, you are much more likely to accomplish what you’ve set out to do!

“One study found that 95 percent of those who started a weight-loss program with friends completed the program, compared to a 76 percent completion rate for those who tackled the program alone. The friend group was also 42 percent more likely to maintain their weight loss.

“For most people, it’s difficult to stay consistent with workout routines, but having a certain group there waiting for you provides you with the motivation and accountability everyone needs to be successful,” says Michael Yabut, Training Manager and National Trainer at TITLE Boxing Club International, LLC, who agrees that members of group fitness programs are less likely to skip workouts, which helps keep them on track.”

(Excerpt from ‘The health benefits of working out with a crowd’ by Brianna Steinhilber – NBCnews.com September 15, 2017)